CHAPTER 8

The truth unveiled 

Gabriel's POV 

Jenkins Mascot walked into my office, a confident smile on his face.

 "Gabriel, good morning. I trust you're doing well."

I nodded, gesturing to the chair in front of my desk. "Jenkins, take a seat. 

What can I do for you?"

Jenkins sat down, pulling out a folder filled with papers and documents. 

"I've brought the latest figures on the Santos Oil and Gas company.

 We're looking at a significant increase in profits, thanks to your strategic decisions."

I leaned forward, my eyes scanning the documents. "That's good to hear. 

What's the current status of our expansion plans?"

"We're on track to meet our deadlines," Jenkins replied. 

"The construction team is working around the clock to ensure the new refinery is completed on time. 

We're also making good progress on the pipeline project."

I nodded, impressed, "Excellent work, Jenkins. 

I want to make sure we stay ahead of the competition.

 What's the latest intel on our rivals?"

Jenkins leaned forward, a serious expression on his face. "From what we've gathered, they're struggling to keep up with demand. 

Their equipment is outdated, and they're facing issues with production. 

We have a clear advantage in the market, sir."

I smiled, a plan already forming in my mind.

 "Good, let's take advantage of this opportunity. I want to increase production and push our rivals out of the market. 

Prepare a proposal outlining the details, and have it on my desk by the end of the day."

Jenkins nodded, jotting down notes on his pad. " I will do that, sir Anything else?"

"Yes," I said, my eyes narrowing. 

"I want to know more about Tomas recent movement, he has been asking questions, poking his nose into our business.

 I need to know what he's after."

Jenkins raised an eyebrow. "You think he's a threat?"

"I don't know yet," I admitted. "But I intend to find out. 

See what you can dig up on him and report back to me."

Jenkins nodded, tucking the folder under his arm.

 "I'll get right on it, sir. Anything else?"

"No, that's all for now," I said, dismissing him with a wave of my hand.

As the door closed behind Jenkins, I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers together.

 The meeting had been productive, but my mind was already drifting to other matters. 

I couldn't shake the image of Isabella, standing in my office, her eyes scanning the papers in my safe with a mix of curiosity and determination.

 It was almost admirable, she was a fighter, and I liked that about her.

But as I thought about it, I was reminded of her parents, knight and Sofia. 

They had asked me to protect her, to keep her safe from harm. 

I had promised them, and I intended to keep that promise, no matter what it took.

I couldn't let myself fall in love with her, not when my heart was so consumed with darkness.

But as I sat there, I couldn't shake off the feeling that it might already be too late. 

That I might already be falling, despite my best efforts to resist. 

The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I knew I had to be careful.

I couldn't let my feelings cloud my judgment, not when it came to Isabella's safety.

 I had to keep her protected, no matter what it took. .

Even if it meant keeping her at arm's length, even if it meant hurting her.

I would do whatever it took to keep Isabella safe, even if it meant sacrificing my own happiness.

The darkness that had consumed me for so long seemed to stir, sensing my unease.

 I knew that I had to keep it at bay, to keep it from spilling over into my relationship with Isabella. 

I couldn't let it destroy the one good thing I had left.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I would protect Isabella, no matter what it took. 

I would keep her safe, even if it meant keeping her at a distance.

The decision was made, and I felt a sense of resolve wash over me. 

I would do what was necessary, no matter how difficult it might be.

 I would be strong, for Isabella's sake as much as my own.

But my thoughts didn't linger on her for long, drifting instead to my own past and the demons that haunted me...

The darkness that had consumed me, the pain and the anger that still lingered. 

I couldn't let myself forget what I was, what I had become. A monster, driven by my own demons.

My father's face appeared before me, his cold, calculating eyes, and the way he used to look at me with disdain. 

Don Santos, the man who had built an empire through blood and sweat, had never accepted me as his own.

 I was just the illegitimate son, a constant reminder of his mistakes.

I remembered the pain and the anger I felt as a child, watching my mother suffer at the hands of my father's rivals. 

Her death had been a turning point in my life, a moment that had defined me.

 I'd grown up fast, forced to rely on my wits and my fists to survive.

But despite the hardness that had developed around me, there were moments when the pain still felt raw. 

When I thought about my father's treatment of me, the way he used me as a tool to further his own interests. 

He'd only begun to see me in a different light when I proved myself useful, when I helped him catch one of his rivals.

I recalled the feeling of pride and joy I'd felt when he finally acknowledged me, when he wanted me by his side during meetings and wars.

 But it was a fleeting feeling, one that was quickly replaced by the harsh realities of our world.

As I sat there, lost in thought, I couldn't help but wonder what my life would have been like if my mother had lived. 

If my father had loved me for who I was, not just for what I could do for him.

 The what-ifs haunted me, taunting me with possibilities that would never come to pass.

The memories swirled in my mind, a torrent of emotions and regrets.

 I knew I had to push them aside, to focus on the present and the future. 

But the past lingered, a constant presence that shaped me into the man I was today.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

 I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me, not when I had a business to run and a potential threat to deal with. 

I would uncover Alessandro's secrets, and I would protect my empire at all costs.

 That was what I did. That was who I was.

The door to my office creaked open, and one of my assistants walked in. 

"Sir, you have a call from the mayor's office.

 They want to discuss the upcoming charity gala."

I nodded, my mind snapping back into focus. 

Business didn't wait for anyone, not even the Don's son

Isabella POV

As I sat there, frozen in shock, my eyes glued to the final of the documents, the words blurred together, but one sentence stood out, seared into my brain like a branding iron. 

My mind reeled with the implications, my breath knocked out of me like a physical blow.

 I felt like I'd been living in a dream, a carefully constructed illusion, and now the rug had been pulled out from under me.

I couldn't believe what I was reading. 

My parents, the people I thought I knew, had been hiding secrets from me. 

Secrets that could change everything.

 I felt like I was staring at a stranger, wondering who they were and what they had been hiding.

As I read on, my eyes scanning the pages, I discovered that my parents had been extremely wealthy, wealthier than the Santos family. 

The family of the man who has taken me in as a wife, against my wish, Gabriel Santos.

The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Why had they kept this from me? What else had they hidden?

And then, I saw it! A mention of gold, buried somewhere, waiting to be found. 

I felt a surge of excitement mixed with fear. 

What if I could find it? 

What if I could use it to live my own life, free from the don Gabriel Santos's influence?

I couldn't believe my eyes. Gold? Buried treasure? It sounded like a fairy tale, but the documents seemed authentic. 

I felt strange courageous energy rising up inside me. 

I was going to find that gold, no matter what it took.

As I sat there, my mind racing with possibilities, I felt a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt for a while.

 I was going to take control of my life, use the gold to forge my own path.

 I was going to uncover the truth about my parents and their secrets, and I was going to live my own life.

The room around me seemed to fade away, and all that was left was the thrill of the hunt.

 I was going to find that gold, and I was going to use it to change my life forever. 

I felt a sense of excitement, a sense of purpose. 

I was no longer just a pawn in someone else's game; I was a player, and I was going to make my own moves.

I took a deep breath, feeling the strength course through my veins, I was going to do this.

 I was going to find the gold, and I was going to live my own life with my unborn child, far away from Gabriel.

 The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a sense of excitement that I couldn't shake off.

As I sat there, my heart pounding with excitement, I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

 I had uncovered a secret, a secret that could change everything. And I was going to use it to take control of my life.

But first I need to find my brother, maybe he could explain more better to me.

As I stood to find my brother, I couldn't move myself, I was still immobile due to fear and the secrets I just unrivaled, so I sat back staring at the documents.

As I sat there, frozen in shock, the documents seemed to burn with secrets.

 My mind reeled with the implications, my heart racing with a mix of emotions.

 I felt like I'd uncovered a piece of a puzzle, but the picture was far from complete.

I took a deep breath and began to process what I'd learned. 

As I sat there, trying to make sense of it all, I heard a noise outside my room.

 I quickly hid the documents and composed myself, wondering who it might be.

The door opened, and Maria, the maid, slipped inside. "Ma'am, I brought you some tea," she said softly.

 "I thought you might need it after your encounter with the don."

I smiled weakly, grateful for her kindness. "Thank you, Maria," I said. "You're very thoughtful."

Maria smiled and set the tea down on the table. "I'll leave it here for you, ma'am.

 If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."

As Maria left, I poured myself a cup of tea, my hands shaking slightly. 

I took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through my body.

I sat there for a moment, sipping my tea and trying to gather my thoughts. 

My thoughts drifted to Maria, was she a friend or a foe? Anytime I had an encounter with Gabriel, she always shows up.

 What was she really? What was her mission? Did Gabriel plant her as a spy around me? 

As my head race with questions about maria, i heard the door open again.

 This time, it was Gabriel. He stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on me.

"Isabella," he said, his voice low and smooth. 

"I see you're feeling better. I was worried about you."

I set my tea down, my heart racing with fear.

 What did he want? Has he found out, I stolen something from his safe? 

Was he here to confront me about the documents I had stolen?

I looked up at him, trying to read his expression. 

But as always, Gabriel's face was a mask, revealing nothing.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts," he said finally, his voice calm. "But remember, Isabella, I'm always watching."

With that, he turned and left, leaving me feeling more trapped than ever.

 I knew I had to be careful, but I was determined to uncover the gold, no matter what it took.

I need to find my brother, but as I stood up, I had his soft voice behind the door.

"Isabella may I come in? He asked.

"Yes please come in I responded".

Rodriguez POV 

I stood outside Isabella's door, my mind replaying the countless times I'd tried to speak to her about Gabriel and our family's past.

 She'd refused to listen, convinced that Gabriel was the enemy. 

But I knew the truth, and I was determined to make her see it.

As I gathered my thoughts, I couldn't help but think about the pain and betrayal Isabella felt.

 She'd been through so much, and I understood why she'd be wary of Gabriel. 

But I also knew that Gabriel wasn't the monster she thought he was. 

He was a complex man, driven by a desire to protect and serve. 

And when it came to our family, he'd gone above and beyond to keep us safe.

I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the conversation ahead. 

I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to persuade Isabella to see things from my perspective.

 I'd been thinking about this moment for a long time, and I was ready.

As I stood there, I thought about the contract between Gabriel and our family.

 It was a complicated agreement, one that had been forged in blood and sacrifice. 

But it was also a testament to Gabriel's loyalty and dedication. 

He'd promised to protect us, to keep us safe from harm. And he'd done just that.

I thought about Alessandro, the man who'd actually killed our parents. 

He was the one who'd brought destruction and chaos into our lives.

 But Gabriel had taken him down after he eloped with bella. 

He had brought him to the mansion, and he is still locked up. 

And now, Gabriel was working to keep us safe, to protect us from those who would seek to harm us.

I knew that Isabella would be angry, that she'd feel betrayed by the secrets we'd kept from her. 

But I also knew that she deserved to know the truth. And I was the one who was going to tell her.

With a sense of resolve, I raised my hand and stood at the front of the door, ready to begin the conversation that would change everything. 

I was ready to persuade my sister, to make her see the truth about Gabriel and our family's past. 

It was time for her to know the truth, and I was the one who was going to tell her.

 "May I come in?" I asked, my voice gentle.

There was a pause, and then Isabella's voice came again, a hint of amusement in her tone. 

"I had you roasted, voice and all," she said, her words dripping with sass. "Come in."

I chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. 

This was going to be a good conversation. 

I pushed open the door and stepped inside, my eyes locking onto Isabella's.

 "Hey, sis," I said, my voice warm. "How are you doing?"

Isabella smiled, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

 "I'm doing okay, brother" she replied. 

"How about you? What brings you to my neck of the woods?"

I walked over to the couch and sat down, taking a moment to appreciate the comfortable surroundings. 

"I'm doing all right," I said. 

"I just wanted to check in on you, make sure you're okay. 

You've been a bit distant lately."

Isabella nodded, her expression thoughtful.

 "I've been dealing with some stuff," she said. "But I'm managing."

We exchanged pleasantries for a bit, asking about each other's health and well-being. 

I was stalling, I knew, but I wanted to make sure Isabella was in the right mindset for our conversation.

I took a deep breath, my eyes locking onto Isabella's as I began to reveal the truth. 

"Isabella, I know you're angry and confused, but please, just listen to me," I said, my voice filled with emotion

. "Our parents' wealth is something I've been trying to uncover for a long time, and I'm not just doing it for myself. 

I want to find it for us, for our future.

 I want us to be able to live our lives without worrying about what's going to happen next."

Isabella's expression softened slightly, and she nodded for me to continue.

 I took another deep breath, my words spilling out in a rush.

 "Gabriel didn't kill our parents, Isabella.

 He's been trying to protect us all along.

 He saved my life once when I got into trouble with some mafia members. 

I was young and stupid, and I didn't know any better. 

But Gabriel was there, and he helped me."

Isabella's eyes widened in shock, and she leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper.

 "What do you mean? Why didn't you tell me this before?"

I shook my head, feeling a pang of regret. 

"I was trying to protect you, Isabella. I didn't want you to get hurt. 

But the truth is, our parents signed a contract with Gabriel, a contract that would ensure your safety. 

They wanted him to protect you, to keep you safe from harm."

Isabella's face was a picture of confusion and shock.

 "A contract? What kind of contract?" she asked, her voice trembling.

I took another deep breath, my words spilling out in a rush.

 "A marriage contract, Isabella. 

They wanted Gabriel to marry you, to protect you.

 And that's why he's been keeping you close all this time.

 He's not trying to hurt you, Isabella. He's trying to keep you safe."

Isabella's eyes filled with tears, and she looked like she'd been punched in the gut.

 I could see the shock and confusion written all over her face, and I knew that this was a lot to take in. 

But I also knew that she needed to know the truth.

As she sat there, processing everything, I could see the wheels turning in her head. 

She was trying to make sense of it all, to understand why our parents would do something like this.

 And I knew that she would have questions, lots of them.

But for now, I just sat there, watching her, waiting for her to absorb the truth.

 And as the silence stretched out between us, I could feel the weight of our conversation settling in. 

This was just the beginning, and I knew that things would never be the same again.

Isabella POV 

I sat there, my mind reeling from the revelation. 

Gabriel, the man I'd been accusing of killing my parents and holding me captive, was actually trying to protect me? It was hard to wrap my head around.

 I looked at Rodriguez my brother's expression a mix of concern and strength.

"I...I need to hear more," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. 

"But I want to hear it from Gabriel himself."

Rodriguez's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded understandingly. 

"I expected as much," he said. "But Isabella, be careful. 

Gabriel may not be what you think he is, but he's still a complex person with his own motivations."

I nodded, my mind made up. I needed to talk to Gabriel, to hear the truth from his own lips.

 "I'll be careful, Rodriguez," I said.

 "But I need to do this. I need to know the truth."

 Rodriguez nodded, a small smile on his face.

 "I'll arrange a meeting," he said. 

"But promise me you'll keep an open mind, Isabella."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation.

 I would keep an open mind, but I wouldn't make any promises about what I'd find.

 I needed to hear Gabriel's side of the story, and then I'd decide what to believe.